Statement from Minister Sherlock on ACTA

22^nd June 2012

Following uncertainty that has arisen from an article which was printed in a newspaper publication this morning (Friday 22 June 2012), the Minister for Research and Innovation, Mr. Seán Sherlock T.D., would like to make it known that he did not sign the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in January of this year as stated in the article.

The Minister wishes to point out that a decision to arrange for the signature of the Agreement was approved by Government at a Government meeting on the 13th December 2011. Ireland along with 22 other EU Member States signed the Agreement in Tokyo on the 26th January 2012. The Irish Ambassador in Tokyo signed on behalf of Ireland.

The Minister also wishes to state that Ireland has not ratified ACTA.

ENDS